Just then, I heard the sound of the toilet flushing and the sink running. I stepped back, feigning ignorance A.. moment later, the bathroom door opened, and Natalia emerged, looking pale and shaky. She jumped when sibe saw me standing there.
“Celeste? What are you
“You need to see a healer,” I said, cutting her off.
Natalia wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “I’m fine. It’s just a stomach bug
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“That’s not a stomach bug.” I stepped closer, studying her face. The dark circles under her eyes, the pallor of her skin, the way she was holding her stomach. “When’s the last time you had your cycle?
Her eyes widened. “What?”
“Your cycle. Your monthly bleeding. When was it?”
“That’s none of your business.” Natalia tried to push past me, but I blocked her path.
“You need to see a healer,” I repeated. “Now.”
“I said I’m fine-”
“You’re not fine. You’ve been sick all day, haven’t you? And you look like you’re about to pass out.” I grabbed her arm, not too roughly but firmly enough that she couldn’t easily pull away. “Come on. I’m taking you to the medical wing.”
“Why do you care?” Natalia asked, jerking her arm but not quite managing to free herself.
“Because if something’s wrong with you and I didn’t say anything, I’d never forgive myself,” I said, forcing a small smile. It wasn’t entirely a lie. “Please. Just let the healers check you out. If it’s nothing, then fine. But if it’s something serious…”
Natalia hesitated, her free hand pressed against her stomach. “Fine,” she finally said after a moment. “But I’m walking there myself.”
I released her arm. “I’m coming with you.”
“I don’t need an escort.”
“Too bad. You’re getting one anyway.” I fell into step beside her as she started down the corridor toward the medical wing. Natalia shot me a withering glare out of the comers of her eyes, but didn’t argue. For now, I just had to play the role of a concerned almost–friend.
Frankly, I just wanted to hear it with my own ears from the healers before I made any decisions.
We walked in silence for a while. Natalia kept one hand pressed to her stomach, and I kept my hand in my pocket, fingers brushing against the knife I wouldn’t need to use after all.
The medical wing was busy when we arrived. Several healers were tending to patients, and I could see Max in his usual bed near the window, reading another book. He looked up when we entered and waved at his mother.
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+25 Bonus
“Moromy!”
“Hey, sweetheart.” Natalia managed a weak smile. “I’ll be right there, okay? I just need to talk to the healers first.”
One of the younger healers approached us, looking between Natalia and me with curiosity. “Is everything alright?”
“She needs to be examined,” I said before Natalia could protest. “She’s been vomiting.”
The healer’s eyes widened slightly, and I saw understanding dawn on her face. “Of course. Come with me, please.”
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